As a new academic year begins, Terrance Harris knows exactly how students are feeling.
Terrance Harris
The College of Engineering’s inaugural Director of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, Harris is eager for the start of his first academic year. Harris’ role will be to foster an inclusive and welcoming environment for the diverse students, staff, and faculty populations in engineering. In addition, he will be responsible for DEI initiatives through promotion and support of programs, DEI trainings for faculty/staff/students, assist in improvement of recruitment and retention of Black, brown, and other students of color (as well as faculty and staff), policies, events and other activities.
Harris comes to Drexel after six years at Oregon State University, where he served as director of the Lonnie B. Harris Black Cultural Center. He has also held administrative positions at Stetson University and the University of North Texas.
Starting a new initiative at a new place can be intimidating, but Harris has spent time since he arrived on campus getting to know the people, places and resources that are available to students, and he encourages incoming and even current students to do the same.
“The key to success is engagement,” he says. “Learn what academic resources are here for you, build relationships with fellow students regardless of year, and get involved with a club or organization that will help you meet new people and familiarize yourself with your surroundings.”
Harris will be taking his own advice regarding clubs. As part of his role, he will serve as secondary advisor for the National Society of Black Engineers, the Society for Hispanic Professional Engineers, and Society of Women Engineers, along with being the primary point of contact between the college and external affinity-based organizations.
“Our student organizations are incredibly vibrant and contribute to the success of their members,” Harris observes. “Between networking, mentorship and simply being a place where students can be around people like themselves, the groups are so important to building community here in the college.”
Harris is also available to meet individually with students to help them find a sense of belonging.
“I want to be the vessel for student development and life,” he says. “I am here whether students want advice, to voice a concern, or even just to vent.”
“There is incredible energy surrounding DEI. I’m honored and excited to bring these plans to life.”
Terrance Harris
In the coming months, Harris says, there will be a range of events and conversations taking place around DEI in the College of Engineering. The year will begin with a cookout on Thursday, September 29 at 5 p.m. on the sand volleyball courts. All engineering students will be welcome. Throughout each quarter, we will host discussions around various diversity and inclusion topics (such as anti-Blackness, LGBTQ+ and gender bias in the workplace, navigating Drexel and Philly, brave spaces, implicit bias, etc.) featuring guest speakers.
“This is an exciting time for the College of Engineering,” Harris says. “There is incredible energy surrounding DEI. I’m honored and excited to bring these plans to life.”
Harris points students to the following campus resources for DEI, in addition to his own office.